Our Studio

Richard Kirk

Director - LFRAIA Hon. AIA

Richard Kirk is the Principal Director of KIRK, formerly Richard Kirk Architect, which he established in 1995 after graduating from the University of Queensland in 1991 with first-class Honours. Richard’s noted academic achievements (QIA Memorial Medal and the Board of Architects Award for Academic Excellence) provide an intellectual basis for the foundation and direction of the practice, which now has studios located in Brisbane, Melbourne and Kuala Lumpur.

Richard Kirk has established the practice as a leader in designing buildings of cultural significance on sensitive and important sites, with the majority of its commissions awarded through design competitions. Achievements include winning first prize in design competitions for the University of Queensland’s flagship buildings: the Advanced Engineering Building & UQ Business School; and Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University, Learning Hub North Spine.

Dr. Andrew Magub

Principal - FRAIA Technical Director - Sport Technical Director - Defence

Dr Andrew Magub joined KIRK in 2016 in the role of Principal.

Andrew trained in architecture at the Queensland University of Technology, the University of North London, and in Project Management at the Queensland University of Technology. After graduation, of his first degree, Andrew worked in Cleveland, USA; London, United Kingdom; and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Andrew is an Architect / Project Manager with over 30 years of major project experience through USA, New Zealand, Malaysia, Vietnam, United Kingdom, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, China, and extensively in Australia. He has worked on a large selection of project types from feasibilities, masterplans, overlays, reviews, small extensions of existing facilities, through to complete new major facilities.

Andrew brings a substantial level of major, international sports and event architecture experience with involvements on sports infrastructure around the globe and including 3 Olympic games (Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 & Beijing 2008). He has an in depth knowledge of the technical and briefing requirements of sports and event facilities as well as global trends in these venues and industries.

Andrew is also a recognised expert in ballistic, high security and Defence/Defence Industry projects. Many of these project involvements have been in technical, high-tech, sovereign capability projects where a first principals approach is required. Andrew is a recognised expert in Firing Range and Sovereign Defence Manufacturing facilities.

Andrew’s recent project expertise includes Mass Engineered Timber (MET) projects using Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glu-Laminated Timber (GLT) structures. Through his recent completed MET projects, Andrew is considered one of the leading MET Architects in Australia.

Andrew has completed a Master of Project Management, specialising in the procurement of major projects in Australia and New Zealand. He has also completed his PhD in construction management investigating the use of the internet for information sharing on construction projects. These specialist areas of research are unique and allows a further level of professional advice and management to clients

Brendan Pointon

Principal

Brendan re-joined KIRK, as a Principal in 2022, having a long-standing connection to the Brisbane studio.

Brendan is a registered Queensland architect, with over 28 years’ experience designing and implementing projects of the highest quality. Brendan graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) and Bachelor of Build Environment from the Queensland University of Technology.

Brendan's experience spans scales and sectors, both as project architect and design lead, with a consistent quality of design and delivery of projects. His commitment to design excellence manifests in tailored, site-specific solutions that bind the programmatic requirements of the brief to the cultural and environmental context of the site. Brendan is committed to delivering solutions which are both commercially and environmentally sustainable, while never losing sight of the ultimate goal – to create inspiring and enduring design solutions that bring delight and richness to the private and public domain.

Brendan's extensive professional career spans a wide range of architectural sectors including Education, Master Planning, Urban Design, Commercial, Residential Care, Multi-Res, Cultural and Public.

Jonathan Ward

Associate

Jonathan is a registered Architect with over 10 years of experience in professional practice, and an Associate at Richard Kirk Architect.

Jonathan’s experience includes a wide variety of education, public, residential commercial, cultural, and master planning projects. He has been a team leader on several projects including the James Cook University Technology Innovation Complex (JCU TIC), and the NTU North Spine Learning Hub in Singapore, awarded through an international competition. Previously, Jonathan has worked at Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), a leading AJ100 listed London based practice.

Jonathan is skilled in the execution and documentation of a range of project types throughout project bid submission, brief development, design, documentation and procurement. He has overseen the management of consultancy teams, documentation processes and liaison with clients and key stakeholders. Jonathan has proficient knowledge in the use of technology in a range of platforms, including Building Information Modelling, to deliver high quality design outcomes throughout all project phases.

Jonathan is responsible for the management and guidance of practice personnel, and for the management of practice quality assurance systems.

Jonathan completed his Master of Architecture at the University of Queensland in 2011. During his studies Jonathan’s academic performance was consistently recognised with the Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement Award. Upon graduation Jonathan was awarded the Karl and Gertrude Langer Memorial Design Prize and the John Simpson Book Prize.

Laura Hughes

Associate & Regional Head of Education - Kuala Lumpur Office

Laura is a qualified British architect with over 10 years experience in professional practice. She trained in architecture at Newcastle University and completed her professional practice at the University of Westminster. Whilst at the Newcastle University, she spent a year engaging with the local community of the famous Byker Wall Estate.

Laura has significant experience delivering large scale educational projects with specialist input, specific end-use involvement, and complex briefing requirements, and brings valuable experience to her role as Project Architect of Garden International School with KIRK.

She has been a team leader on several projects including the recently completed Nexus International School in Singapore - a $172m SGD, new-build, 12-storey, 60,000m2 scheme for 2000 students with Taylor’s Education Group.

When in London, Laura worked for one of the UK’s leading sustainability practices across the expansion of several primary schools on tight urban sites. During her time in Singapore, as well as Nexus, Laura worked on the strategic masterplan for the future expansion of Singapore Management University.